Submitted by Denise Earl
(Erieville, NY – March 2013) The 22nd annual, some say 27th, as a less organized gathering took place during the early years, Tuscarora Lake Fishing Derby, was held as planned on Feb. 9.
This winters’ weather has been a bit iffy for such an event, but on Feb. 8 a Nor’easter, called “Nemo” by the Weather Channel, pummeled New England with snow and we were fortunate to be at the tail end of it and had sufficient cold and snow to allow for safe-ice conditions.
A committee of year-round lake and local residents organized and collected prizes and planned the day. It is the second to be based at the Blue Canoe Grille, formerly Rosies.
There were 135 registered applicants, which is up from last year.
Winners of monetary prizes for fish brought in and measured were:
Longest Walleye: Jamie Wisniewski 19 1/4”
Heaviest Walleye: John Tysco 2 3/4 lbs.
Longest Perch: Davis Burritt 113/4 “
Longest other fish: Cody Ford 23 1/2”, 4lbs.
Youth longest Perch: Dan Olmstead 11”
Youth longest Walleye: Richard Seaton 16 7/8”
Adult lucky fish: Jeffrey Kimball
There is a very long list of contributors to this effort and the committee is very appreciative of their sharing their resources. We are mindful that local businesses and individuals are asked to contribute to an increasing number of worthy causes. The donors have to pick and choose which causes they can reasonably support. Special thanks to Don Ballway for donating the grand prize, a Vexilar fish finder.
After expenses, over $1,600 is being donated to the Tuscarora Lake Association for the purpose of restocking the lake with game fish.